91% of Scots reject a return to direct rule
Professor John Robertson OBA From: Scottish Social Attitudes | 25 years of devolution in Scotland: Public attitudes and reactions published last week: https://natcen.ac.uk/publications/scottish-social-attitudes-25-years-devolution-scotland At 9% the view that Scotland should not have a parliament at all is, as it has always been, very much a minority one. Which parties or politicians wish to see Scotland return to direct rule from London? Reform UK Party deputy leader Richard Tice has described devolution as part of “failed” regional experiments. This aligns with the party’s roots in UKIP, which campaigned against devolution in the 1990s. Tories opposed Scottish and Welsh devolution referendums in 1997, positioning as the “anti-devolution … Continue reading 91% of Scots reject a return to direct rule
As 800 playgrounds close in England, SNP Government invests £50 million in only 3 years on new ones
By Brenda Robb A UK wide report heavily focused on what happens in England, why are we not surprised? Just a brief scan of the further reading reports listed in the appendix backs up the notion that this is fundamentally an English document, somehow they fail to list Play Scotland and the range of documents published to promote play in Scotland. (see www.playscotland.org/resources/) Contrast this: A freedom of information request to all local authorities in 2023 found that almost 800 playgrounds had closed across the UK over the ten years before (amongst those authorities that responded), over 400 of which were in … Continue reading As 800 playgrounds close in England, SNP Government invests £50 million in only 3 years on new ones
By more than 3 to 1 Scots think Scottish Government should have most influence
Professor John Robertson OBA From: Scottish Social Attitudes | 25 years of devolution in Scotland: Public attitudes and reactions published last week: https://natcen.ac.uk/publications/scottish-social-attitudes-25-years-devolution-scotland How much control does the Scottish Government actually have? By Public Expenditure By Revenue/Taxation You can support Talking-up Scotland at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/checkout/help-talking-up-scotland-tell-truth-about-scotland/payment/nBQxjVzq/details or by direct bank transfer method – Bernadette/John Robertson, Sort code 08-91-04, Account 12266421 Continue reading By more than 3 to 1 Scots think Scottish Government should have most influence
SNP Government amongst most trusted in Europe
Professor John Robertson OBA From: Scottish Social Attitudes | 25 years of devolution in Scotland: Public attitudes and reactions published last week: https://natcen.ac.uk/publications/scottish-social-attitudes-25-years-devolution-scotland Even under Labour, far more Scots tended to trust Holyrood rather than Westminster. Averaging out the peaks and troughs, it’s a bit better than 2 to 1 with the SNP Government doing far better at around 65% until the downward form of branch in 2023 which will soon be far behind us as Nicola and then Peter slide quietly off it. Is 65% unusual? Bad or good? See this: Sources: https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/3253 https://www.oecd.org/gov/government-at-a-glance-2023.htm You can support Talking-up Scotland at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/checkout/help-talking-up-scotland-tell-truth-about-scotland/payment/nBQxjVzq/details or by direct … Continue reading SNP Government amongst most trusted in Europe
Only since the first SNP Government have Scots thought devolution made a difference and now they have 100 reasons to think so
Professor John Robertson OBA From: Scottish Social Attitudes | 25 years of devolution in Scotland: Public attitudes and reactions published last week: https://natcen.ac.uk/publications/scottish-social-attitudes-25-years-devolution-scotland Forget dip in the last year; we can confidently label that a hanging form of branch (geddit?). In the Labour/Lib Dem era, 1999-2007, most Scots thought that having a Scottish Parliament made no difference to life up here. Within a few years, ignoring spikes and dips, the majority have thought it does make a difference. Why? Because it does, indisputably: 1. Free Tuition. We believe in education based on the ability to learn, not the ability to pay. While students in England now … Continue reading Only since the first SNP Government have Scots thought devolution made a difference and now they have 100 reasons to think so
Why has British identity in Scotland plummeted since 2021
Professor John Robertson OBA From: Scottish Social Attitudes | 25 years of devolution in Scotland: Public attitudes and reactions published last week: https://natcen.ac.uk/publications/scottish-social-attitudes-25-years-devolution-scotland The researchers offer no explanation for this recent collapse, from 2021 to 2024, in the proportion of Scots who consider themselves ‘British’, at all or best as. Readers will have their own views. I’m guessing the rise of Reform UK, Nicola Sturgeon managing the pandemic response far better than Boris Johnson, the Partygate Scandal, UK support for Israel even before the full genocide, England fans riot after losing to Italy on penalties, and the last years of … Continue reading Why has British identity in Scotland plummeted since 2021
As energy bills are set to rise again a reminder of the English financier who said ‘Scotland subsidises London energy bills’ and it’s ‘better for Scots to pay over the odds than those living in the English capital’
Professor John Robertson OBA From inkl in October 2024: Households in Scotland are paying higher energy bills than they ought to keep prices down south of the Border, according to experts at the Fuller Treacy Money investment strategy firm. In a newsletter arguing against zonal pricing, the firm’s owner Eoin Treacy [above] says it is better for Scots to pay over the odds than those living in the English capital. Zonal pricing, which has been considered by the UK Government in the past, would see places like Scotland – where lots of energy is produced but there is lower demand – pay cheaper bills, … Continue reading As energy bills are set to rise again a reminder of the English financier who said ‘Scotland subsidises London energy bills’ and it’s ‘better for Scots to pay over the odds than those living in the English capital’
UK Governments slammed for cutting British Transport Police staffing and allowing surge of sex offences on Scotland’s trains in excess of those elsewhere
by over 70% in the last decade, according to figures obtained by BBC Scotland news. There were 98 assaults reported last year, compared to 58 ten years ago – more than a quarter of those cases were closed without a suspect being identified. 24 victims were under 18 years of age. The Scottish Government said they’ve discussed these crimes with the Chief Constable but noted this area is reserved to the UK Government. Professor John Robertson OBA BBC Reporting Scotland‘s insert in BBC Breakfast today has the above story which is not being covered anywhere else. They haven’t reminded us … Continue reading UK Governments slammed for cutting British Transport Police staffing and allowing surge of sex offences on Scotland’s trains in excess of those elsewhere
A ‘new honesty’ over child poverty sought – and found!
Eluned Morgan, Labour FM in Wales: ‘the levers of power to make a difference to the number of children living in poverty in Wales lie with the UK Government.’ By stewartb The Herald had this headline on September 9: ‘Leading charity demands ‘new honesty’ over child poverty’. The plea came from the CEO of the Aberlour Trust in Scotland. Let’s see what can be done to help further this worthy objective. From Labour List (September 30, 2025), there is an article entitled: ’Bringing emotion and reality to the debate on child poverty.’ It’s written by a Labour Party conference attendee, … Continue reading A ‘new honesty’ over child poverty sought – and found!
Scottish doctors’ branch union organiser lies about there being fewer GPs and ignores Scotland having 25% more of them to staff new SNP drop-in services
Professor John Robertson OBA From the Scottish Government today: A network of walk-in GP clinics will open as part of work to improve access to primary care. The clinics, which would be staffed by GPs, nurses and support staff, will be open seven days a week, 12:00-20:00, in addition to existing primary care services. They will provide a range of same-day assessments, diagnostics and treatment. Fifteen clinics in sites across Scotland will proceed initially to test the benefits for patients. https://www.gov.scot/news/improving-access-to-primary-care/ Typically for BBC Scotland but contrary to practice in BBC England or Wales, their reaction was: A leading doctor has … Continue reading Scottish doctors’ branch union organiser lies about there being fewer GPs and ignores Scotland having 25% more of them to staff new SNP drop-in services
Talking-up Scotland 